The Blues are among four teams vying for the last two playoff spots in the
Western Conference, and are facing a Blackhawks team that has just 57 points.

St. Louis, however, has lost three of four meetings with Chicago this
season, and has just three wins in the last 14 games in the series (3-6-3-2).

But the Blues come into this contest playing well, going 6-2-3 in their last
11 games after beating the Anaheim Mighty Ducks 3-2 at home on Thursday.

St. Louis has made the playoffs for the last 24 years - the longest current
streak in pro sports.

"Every game is a big game," said Blues forward Jamal Mayers, who scored
the game-winner midway through the third period Thursday. "You know you can
never underestimate a team's pride or a guy's pride. We're in no position to
overlook anybody."

Chicago's winless streak reached three on Thursday night with an 8-2 home
loss to the Minnesota Wild. The Blackhawks have just four wins in their last 19
contests after a season high-tying, three-game winning streak from Feb. 3-14.

Blackhawks rookie goalie Adam Munro played the entire game on Thursday.

"It was a rough night," Munro said. "I think all-in-all it was an
off-night for myself. They were finding the open net."

Jocelyn Thibault dressed for the first time since Nov. 7 after undergoing
hip surgery, but did not relieve Munro. He is expected to start Saturday.

"I wanted to stay in," Munro said after playing just his fifth NHL game.
"I don't like to get pulled at all. I was trying to battle through it, and I
couldn't do it."

The Blues and Blackhawks conclude the home-and-home series on Sunday in
Chicago.

LAST MEETING: Feb. 22; Blackhawks, 3-2, OT. At Chicago, Eric Weinrich scored
with 2:54 left in the third period to give the Blues a 2-1 lead, but a
power-play goal by Kyle Calder with 1:28 remaining in regulation tied it and
Chicago won on Stephane Robidas' goal with 19.5 seconds left in overtime.